MARCH 19TH

To serve the Publick faithfully, and at the same time please it entirely, is impracticable.

— Benjamin Franklin,1758

AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG

From the"CONNECTICUT
GAZETTE"Friday, July 11, 1777

"PHILADELPHIA July 1

It appears from an orderly book found with
the Hessians who were taken at Trenton last December, that the
following letter was given out in the general orders of August
29th last, signed Von Heisier, who says it was sent to
him by General Howe.

Copy of a letter from a Gentleman
of Long Island to General Howe

"I was this morning an unwilling spectator
of outrages as I never believed could be committed in a Christian
country.The Hessian troops have plundered this unfortunate place
intirely, and without distinction to persons. They have driven
every poor family out of their houses and robbed them of their
property, which I believe will have the most unhappy consequences.
I am sure the commanding General will not permit such dreadful
havock, and I entreat you to acquaint him with it, that we may
be freed from our misery as quickly as possible."

Written August, 1776.

In consequence of the above letter, the General
issued his orders, forbidding such conduct in the troops under
his command, but it appears from the book above mentioned, that
similar complaints were repeatedly made, and no effectual means
taken to prevent them.

Any gentleman, by applying to the Printer,
(in Philadelphia) will be informed where the book is to be seen.

The following ANECDOTE, being a lively representation
of the BLESSING OF BRITISH GOVERNMENT, is recommended to the
serious perusal of all timid, cool-hearted Americans.---On Monday
the 19th of May last, one Mr. Anderson, a house-carpenter living
in Chappel street, New York, had a difference with a Tory, who
insulted Mr. Anderson as he was going home from his work, with
his tools on his shoulder, by tauntingly saying to him "Times
are changed with you--So! you are obliged to carry your axe--Where
is your gun now, that you used to carry!" This brought on
a further altercation, and at length blows ensued: Upon which
the Tory lodged a complaint with Gen. Pigot; Mr. Anderson could
not be heard in his own defence but was ordered to receive 500
lashes, and notwithstanding the intercessions of his wife and
children and a number of his friends, this inhuman sentence was
carried into execution with the greatest rigor, against a reputable
freeholder and citizen; he fainting away twice during the execution;
after which he was sent into confinement on board a man of war."